Introducing the Sony PS5, the next-generation gaming console. Although hard to find at the moment – thanks to the plague, stock problems, and lack of chips – many lucky gamers have been able to get their hands on one.
The PS5 brings you a whole new level of gaming excellence, partly due to the capabilities of the HDMI 2.1 port and the console cable. But what do you need to know about the good TVs and HDMI capabilities of the PS5 to get the most out of the new gaming system?
The PS5 is capable of producing 8K output at 60fps and supports 4K games running at 60 or 120fps speeds. However, it is unable to produce 1440p resolution games – at least not yet.
The PlayStation 5 uses an HDMI 2.1 connection, which enables next-generation consoles to support higher frame rates up to 120 frames per second (fps), and is much higher than the standard 60fps and 30fps frame rates seen in the latest generation of consoles.
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Not only can HDMI 2.1 have better frame rates, but it can also transfer the entire 4K or 8K image from the new console to your TV (if it can support those resolutions, that is). But one major warning is 8K gameplay will be limited to 60 frames per second.
You may have noticed that PS5 games, including good demon souls, offer different modes to aim for higher graphics fidelity or higher frame rates. Given the capabilities of the PS5, this means you can play in 4K resolution at 60fps or in HD at 120fps, although the exact parameters of it vary between the entire game.
There is a lot to resolve when it comes to HDMI connections on the PS5, and how to find this guide. Help us keep the details, explain what you really need to know and help you get the most out of your new console.
Ports and Cables for PS5: What’s in the Box?
A HDMI 2.1 port and a cable are included with Sony’s PlayStation 5 out of the box.
Now, it’s important to note that you can only be on your TV. If your TV does not support 4K resolutions, for example, can not play PS5 games in 4K, at any frame rate – probably settle for HD. You will also need an 8K TV for an 8K game, but there are really no 8K PS5 games on the horizon (at least for now), so that’s a problem for another day.
However, HDMI 2.1 cables still work in HDMI 2.0 ports, so you can connect your PS5 to a standard HDMI port and produce an on-screen image – just not its maximum.
Since the PS5 does not support 1440p, the resolution of many game monitors and projectors, it seems that the graphics are where the default for 1080p is, which means that the PS5 will not enjoy a massive screen or screen with a resolution of 1440p.
HDMI 2.1 vs. HDMI 2.0
Simply put, different HDMI standards support the transmission of different amounts of data per second, which means that the quality of audio and video varies between them.
The difference between HDMI 2.0 and 2.1 is quite noticeable too. A PS5 game running at 4K at 60 frames per second (or 120 frames per second) will look and play great compared to 4K at 30 frames per second.
If you play games there is a TV that has an HDMI 2.0b port, you will find that you can increase the frame rate if you lower the resolution, say HD at 120 Hz compared to 4K at 60 fps. However, it ranks among the games.
HDMI 2.1 removes this barrier, which means you can play in Ultra HD quality and still get smooth floral rhythms like your games.
As we mentioned earlier, the PS5’s HDMI port and cable are HDMI 2.1 devices, meaning the cable can transmit data much faster than a standard HDMI port.
In other words, the PS5’s 2.1 HDMI can transmit 48Gbps, almost three times the bandwidth of its 2.0b counterpart.
This is what allows it to support 8K video at 60fps and 4K video at 60-120fps (depending on the game you are playing).
To demonstrate this, let’s use Spider-Man: Miles Morales on PS5. The game is capable of running on PS5 consoles at 4K / 60fps – if your TV has an HDMI 2.1 port.
If, for example, you play the PS5 game on a 4K TV that has an HDMI 2.0b port – limited to 18Gbps bandwidth – you will still see 4K gaming, but it will run at a maximum of 30 frames per second.
Simply put, a PS5 connected to a TV with an HDMI 2.1 port should, in theory, give you the best results in sacrificing premium pace or graphic quality. But the fact that the console can enable 4K at 60 frames per second does not mean that your TV can.
HDMI support for TVs
Unless you’ve been using CRT since the late ’90s, chances are your TV has an HDMI port.
It is important to note that while the new consoles use HDMI 2.1 as a connection, this does not mean that your TV should also support HDMI 2.1.
Only brand new modern TVs and monitors are shipped with expensive HDMI 2.1 compatible, and they are a bit rare to find. Each 8K TV will ship with the newer HDMI standard, while this support varies between 4K TVs. Each Samsung QLED TV in 2020 comes with a single HDMI 2.1 port, while new LG OLED TVs come with four HDMI 2.1 ports.
Full HD TVs and monitors, depending on their refresh rate, play games at speeds of 60 frames per second or 120 frames per second.
A good example of use here is between Monster Hunter: World on PS4 and PS5. In this game, the performance has nothing to do with the HDMI cable but the refresh rate of your TV.
With Full HD TV, with a refresh rate of 60Hz, you can play Monster Hunter World at a fixed and smooth 60fps on PS5 through the backward compatibility of the console.
If you played it on the same TV, using the current generation PS4 or Pro, you would not reach 60 frames per second that the console simply is not powerful enough to do so. In this case, the HDMI and cable port will not matter.
Typically, modern TVs and monitors running in Full HD (1080p) are equipped with an HDMI 2.0 port, which means you will have a problem with wonderful quality PS5 games and reach 60 or 120fps if your TV can.
So it’s up to you what you prefer well – higher frame rates or more visuals. That’s what it’s all about.
In general, with, if you want the best results from your next and new generation console, you will want to have a TV that also supports HDMI 2.1 connection so you will enjoy 4K games at a silky smooth speed of 60 or 120 frames per second.
